Folding leg support for tables



Dec. 13, 1932. i HAM-EY 1,890,936

FOLDING LEG SUPPORT FOR TABLES Filed Nov. 7, 19:50

ATTORNEYS Patented Der.. 13, 1932 @Meer ortica WILLIAIJL IQLANLEY, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW' JERSEY, ASSIGNORTO FERGUSON `IBROCLHEBfS i MAIIUFAC'JJUBING COMPANY, GF HOBOKEN, NEIN' JERSEY, AOORPORATIONQOFSNEW JERSEY FOLDING LEG SUPPORT FOR TABLES Application filed. November 7,'1193'0. Serial No. 494,055;

The object of my invention is to produce a very strong and rigid folding leg support for tables in general and especially for game tables which are frequently subjected to violent strains during the playing of a game thereon and which tables have heretofore had to be provided with non-folding leg supports.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 represents a game table with my improved folding leg support applied thereto, the legs being shown in their unfolded positions.

Fig. 2- represents a detail transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line II-II of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal section taken in the plane of the line III-III of Fig. Ll, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. L1 represents a bottom plan view of the table, the legs being shown in their unfolded positions in full lines and in their folded positions in dotted lines.

The table top is designated by 1 and it is shown in the present instance as constructed for the playing of a well known and popular game which subjects the table to frequent severe strains, thereby requiring a very strong and rigid support for the table top.

My improved folding leg support comprises two oppositely folding leg structures hinged to the table top to swing lengthwise thereof into and out of their folded positions. Each leg structure comprises two legs 3, 4 rigidly connected adjacent the table top by a cross brace 5.

rIhe means which I have shown for locking the legs in their unfolded positions and for yieldingly holding the legs in their folded positions comprises the following elements:

Two longitudinally disposed resilient slats 6, 7 are secured to the under side of the table top about midway between their ends, which slats are spaced a considerable distance apart so that their free ends will engage the cross braces 5 of the folding leg supports upon both sides of the longitudinal middle line of the table. These slats serve to hold the legs in their folded positions by having the free ends of the slats press against the outer faces of the braces 5 of the foldinglegy structures. The folding legs are locked'intheir unfolded positions lby providing the ends of the slats 6 with tongues 8, 8, arranged to en ter recesses 9, 9 in the cross bracesp'and by similarly providing the ends'of the slats 7 with tongues4 10, 10 arranged to enterY recesses 11, 11 in the said cross braces 5.

These slats are of suilicient strength. to press the unfolded legs outwardly against the depending ends 12, 12 of the table top, which ends serve as stops for limiting the outward or unfolding movement of the legs.

The means which I have shown for securing the slats intermediate their ends to the under side of the table top is as follows:

Short longitudinally disposed spacing strips 13, 13 are interposed between the upper faces of the slats 6, 7 and the under side of the table top. Longer resilient metal plates 14, 14 extend along the under faces of the slats 6, 7 and project beyond the ends of the spacing strips 12, 12. Suitable screws or other fastening devices 15 may be used for securing the spacing strips and slats to the table top.

For obtaining increased strength the free end portions of the slats 6, 7 are connected by cross braces 16, 16.

The particular manner which I have shown of hinging each folding leg structure to the table top is as follows:

The table top is provided with two brackets 17, 18, at its corners at each end of the table..

At one corner a spacing block 19 is secured in position between the bracket 18 and the leg 4. A pivot pin 20 projects laterally from the block 19 into a recess 21 in the leg 4 for hinging one side of each folding leg structure to the table top. At the other corner of the table top a pivot screw 22'passes through a hole 23 in the bracket 17 kinto engagement with the leg 3 for hinging the other side of each folding leg structure to the table top.

F rom the above description it will be seen that I have provided a very strong and substantial folding leg support for the table top thereby permitting the use of the same for games in Which the table top is subjected to violent strains. Y

It is evident that various changes may be resorted to in the construction, form and arrangement of the several parts Without departing from the spirit and scope of my in Vention, and hence I do not intend to be limited to the particular embodiment herein shown and described, but

What I claim is A folding leg support for tables comprising two pairs of oppositely folding legs, a cross brace connecting the two legs of each pair, two longitudinally disposed slats engaging said cross braces upon opposite sides of the middle longitudinal line of the table for locking the legs in their unfolded positions and yieldingly holding the legs in their folded positions, cross braces rigidly connecting the free `ends of the said slats, short longitudinally disposed spacing strips located between the slats and the underside of the table top, longer resilient metal plates eXg tending along tlie under faces of the slats, and means for securing the strips, slats and plates to the underside of the table top.

' In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed iny name this 28th day of October, 1930.

l VILLIAM HANLEY. 

